Safe Environment and VIRTUS

Virtus Training Sessions to be determined

Read the information below and preregister by going to www.virtusonline.org. Search for session under the Diocese of KnoxvilleA VIRTUS training session will be offered for anyone in the Chattanooga area needing to be trained at St. Stephen Catholic Church on Tuesday, February 16th from 6-9 p.m.The one-time training is FREE and required for any volunteers who work with children or vulnerable adults. Sessions on this date will be offered in English and Spanish. Register online at www.virtus.org. For info, call Karen at 892-2957.

VIRTUS - Protecting God's Children & The Vulnerable

Educates clergy, staff and volunteers who work with children about child sexual abuse and the ways to create safe environments for children. The three-hour session includes videos and facilitated discussions that focus on the prevention of abuse and the protection of children. Adults learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms that an adult is a potential risk of harm to children and how to know if a child is being abused or exploited in some way. You will learn about the steps that the faith community can take to create a safe environment for all God's children and how to respond when adults behave in a way that raises concerns.

Who is required to take the class?

all individuals employed or volunteering in a Catholic school;

parish directors/coordinators of religious education;

youth Ministers;

directors of Children's Liturgy of the Word and volunteers;

directors of Catechumenate for children'

catechist aids;

volunteer catechists'volunteer facilitators, leaders, and aides;

religious education/youth ministry office volunteers;

parish business managers;

parish secretaries/bookkeepers;

parish office volunteers, unless not working with children/youth;

parish janitors, maintenance, handy workers, gardeners;

child care providers;

altar server trainers/coordinators and assistants/sacristans;

full-time/part-time liturgy, music, choir directors;

quinceanera coorinators;

Boy Scout/Girl Scout leaders;

drivers and chaperones;

coaches and assistant coaches of youth sports;

Youth and Dependent Adult camp or day care counselors' and

in-home classes' facilitators including the principal adult occupants of the home.

The diocesan Office of Child Protection may require other employees not listed above to complete Safe Environment training.
The diocesan Office of Child Protecvtion is the appropriate office to provide additional information and answers to specific questions regarding this policy. Given the serious nature of these matters, employees should report their suspicions even when in doubt.

What do I need to bring to the class with me?

All individuals must present a valid, non-expired form of identification.
ID forms accepted are:

Valid or current passport

Driver's license

Mexico Consulate ID card

Guatemala Consulate ID card

What to expect at the workshop? Be sure to arrive on time for the workshop, no one will be allowed to enter after the first video begins. You will check in by signing your name on the pre-registered sign-in sheet at the workshop. You will then be required to fill out the appropriate forms, and turn them in at the end of the workshop.

Credit for attendance is only given if your signature is on the sign-in sheet and complete paperwork is submitted at the workshop.
No paperwork equals no credit.

How will I receive confirmation of my attendance?
We do not issue certificates of attendance at PGC Workshops. All paperwork from PGC Workshops are submitted to the Diocesan Safe Environment Office for processing.
Please be aware the approval process can take up to three weeks before being cleared to work with children and youth.

Once we have cleared the Background Check process and verified attendance of PGC workshope, you will receive an email stating that your attendance has been confirmed if you provided a valid email address upon preregistration.

To view or print your attendance date and confirmation sheet, log into VIRTUS Online at www.virtusonline.org and enter your User ID and password.